CASA Part 26 Primary Category

[vk6ad]

Hi all

 

I've owned a 1957 Piper Tripacer for just on 14 years. Most annuals have been owner-assisted with help and advice from various LAMEs. As a normal category aircraft the maintenance release has to be issued by an approved maintenance organisation.

 

I've been caught out this year by WA's regional lockdown and was unable to take the aircraft down to my regular maintenance organisation and the maintenance release has now expired. I'm currently stuck trying to find a maintenance organisation at Jandakot that would support an owner-assisted annual with my favourite LAME.

 

I could obtain a special flight permit to take the plane back to Serpentine for its annual but CASA have quoted me $720 for that privilege. Our local CASA rep seems to think the proposed changes to part 145 that would allow maintenance releases to be issued by independent LAMEs is unlikely to proceed.

 

There is an option staring me in the face - change the category from Normal to Primary per CASA Part 26. That category has limitations on weight, seats, no commercial use etc, much the same as amateur-built aircraft. But an independent LAME can issue the maintenance release and an owner/pilot can perform maintenance if appropriately trained. CASA say the Australian rule is based closely on the same FAA rule. FAA says Normal category aircraft may be transferred to Primary.

 

Sooo... has anyone here considered that previously. Are you aware of any major hurdles? Any idea of procedures and who to talk to?

 

By the way, I think this might be my first post to this forum. I started my PPL training in 1971 and have been flying GA on and off ever since out of Jandakot and Serpentine. I usually don't pop my head up but this is important to me.

 

Cheers

Phil Maley

[Student Pilot]

Is it worthwhile trying to get any sense out of CASA? There are some good people there.

The main trouble I've had is nobody will make any decisions, they just quote regs and say put the question to somebody else.

If it's anything like the rest of of their changes of regulations that are supposed to be interchangeable or direct replacements to FAA or JAA stuff, never happens, look at part 61. What a disaster, all it's done is make anything to do with a licence a lot more expensive and complicated.

[440032]

Phil - CASA aren't the only ones who can issue you a Special Flight Permit.

https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certification/standard-page/airworthiness-delegate-search

search for a CASR 21.200 Authorised Person in W.A.

Good hunting! (You might even find an alternative LAME at Janda in the process...)

[vk6ad]

Phil - CASA aren't the only ones who can issue you a Special Flight Permit.

https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certification/standard-page/airworthiness-delegate-search

search for a CASR 21.200 Authorised Person in W.A.

Good hunting! (You might even find an alternative LAME at Janda in the process...)

 

Thanks for that thought. CASA got back to me today with a revised estimate of $400 for a special flight permit, down from $720. They also suggested I try a delegate and I'm waiting for a reply from one now - he's checking if he can do it or not. It's a shame they haven't issued COVID-19 exemptions for aircraft annuals like they did for medicals and AFRs.

 

I had a nice flight this morning in my RV-6. The day for selling the Tripacer is getting much closer after all this.

 

Cheers

Phil

[440032]

CASA revised an estimate?????

What's today's date? Hmmmm 25th.... (not 1st).

[old man emu]

It's a shame they haven't issued COVID-19 exemptions for aircraft annuals like they did for medicals and AFRs.

 

It definitely looks like the left hand of CASA doesn't know what the right hand is doing when it comes to exemptions based on practicality. It's 38 Kms from Jandakot to Serpentine as the crow flies, a bit longer if you run out to the coast. What would be the outcome of a risk analysis in this case?

 

I bet that your Tri-Pacer hasn't done 100 hours since its last M/R was issued. Is the M/R time expired?

[Yenn]

A lot of people can issue a permit, but those are the people who know how to charge. I reckon if you can get one for under $400 you are doing well.

Hasn't CASA given extensions to MRs to allow for the covid problems. I know they have given some, but can't recollect exactly what. Have a look at CASA site.

[old man emu]

I've tried to make sense of some gobbledygook, from CASA and I think that this lets you solve your problem:

CASA EX65/20 — Extension of Airworthiness Review Certificate (COVID-19) Exemption 2020

 

I think that all you have to do is go to the organisation which has been issuing your ARC and have them complete this form:

 

https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/files/_assets/main/manuals/regulate/misc/form502.pdf

 

I know that many small organisations which have been handling the same aircraft for years on end have built up confidence in the abilities of a owner/operator to service his"baby" on the organisation's premises. I can't see the same organisation charging more than mates' rates for the issue of a continuation, especially if it's just to ferry the aircraft less than 50 kilometres.

[vk6ad]

It turns out not many can issue a permit. I approached one of the 4 CASA delegates listed in WA with approvals for CASR 21.200 but the clauses applicable to special flight permits for maintenance are not included so he can't do it. Luckily I have now found one who can and is willing to issue the permit at a fixed cost less than the CASA estimate.

I'm still looking into Primary Category.

Re hours since last annual, it's actually done less than 50 hours. Don't ask me about economic justification for owning an aircraft. I don't want to even think about that.

CASA haven't given extensions to MRs, only medicals, AFRs and some other compliance stuff that doesn't apply to our small, simple aircraft. Maintenance organisations are still operating and happy to take your money.

[pmccarthy]

My annual is coming up, a lot less than 50 hours. Bad weather, bushfire smoke, dust storms and CV-19 have made this a very disappointing year for flying.

[old man emu]

CASA haven't given extensions to MRs, only medicals, AFRs and some other compliance stuff that doesn't apply to our small, simple aircraft

 

To CASA, the lower end of GA is as popular as a red-headed, freckle-faced bastard at a Father's Day picnic.

[Thruster88]

To CASA, the lower end of GA is as popular as a red-headed, freckle-faced bastard at a Father's Day picnic.

 

There is another family that is desperate to adopt all those red heads.?